Nutritional Management of Nausea/Vomiting During Cancer Treatment

Nutritional management of treatment side effects

There is more to nutrition during cancer and cancer therapy than getting enough calories and protein. The foods you choose also help you cope with side effects, such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chewing and swallowing difficulties, and taste changes.

As each person's individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is his or her reaction to treatment. Side effects may be severe, mild, or absent. Be sure to discuss with your cancer care team possible side effects of treatment before the treatment begins.

Nutritional management of nausea and vomiting

If you have nausea and vomiting, choose foods that are easy to chew, swallow, and digest, such as the following:

Talk with your healthcare provider about taking antinausea medicines at least an hour before eating.

Eat small meals often throughout the day.

Eat more of the foods that appeal to you.

Eat in a place that is comfortable; avoid stuffy places that are too warm or have cooking odors.

Drink a half hour before or after meals but not with your meals.

Drink slowly or sip liquids throughout the day. Use a straw if necessary.

Eat your food at room temperature or cooler, rather than hot.

Don't force yourself to eat foods you normally like to eat because it may cause you to dislike them later when you feel better.

Rest after you eat, but don't lie down; stay upright for at least 1 hour after eating.

For morning nausea try eating crackers or toast before you get up. Keep them at your bedside.

Wear loose-fitting clothes.

If you feel nauseated during treatment, wait a couple of hours before eating.

Keep a diary of when you feel nauseated, how long it lasted, what you ate, and where you were. Your healthcare provider may need the information to help you better manage your symptoms.

If you vomit, don't eat or drink anything more until the vomiting is under control. Then try small amounts of clear liquids. Start slowly with little sips.

Once you can drink clear liquids without vomiting, continue by switching to full-liquid or soft foods such as fruit juices and nectars, milk, pudding, plain gelatin, cooked cereal, ice cream, custard, strained or blenderized soup, potatoes pureed in soup, and vegetable juice.

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider or registered dietitian if you have nausea or vomiting because there are a number of different things he or she may recommend for you.

It is important during cancer treatment to get enough calories, protein, and nutrients. This may be especially hard if you have nausea and vomiting. If you find you can't get enough calories in a day, your healthcare provider may recommend commercially prepared liquid nutritional products for a short time until you feel better.